Nature Conservancy of Texas urges parents to take their kids outdoors this summer

Growing research shows ‘nature-deficit disorder’
negatively affects children’s health

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EDITORS: Interviews with the sources in this news release may be arranged by calling Niki McDaniel, 210-224-8774, ext. 217, or Paco Felici, 512- 784-2375.

Photos of children in nature and a summer activity guide to help parents get children outdoors may be downloaded below.

San Antonio, Texas — May 22, 2008 — With the arrival of the summer holidays, The Nature Conservancy of Texas reminds parents across the state that children who play outdoors and spend time in nature are happier and healthier. A growing body of research shows that children throughout the developed world are spending far less time outdoors than ever before, with potential consequences for childhood health and fitness issues.


Summer 2008 Guide(PDF): Get Kids Outdoors for Healthy Bodies and Minds.	Image1 - © Paul Barwick (JPG)	Image 2 - © Paul Barwick (JPG)

“The overuse of electronic forms of entertainment can have adverse effects on the physical and emotional health of our children if they don’t balance those sedentary activities by spending adequate time playing outdoors,” said Dr. Joseph Goldzieher, a retired San Antonio endocrinologist and longtime member of The Nature Conservancy.

“For example, rampant childhood obesity, caused in part by inactivity, is a major contributor to the rise of both juvenile and adult-onset diabetes in children, and this has been a troubling and growing problem in Texas in recent years.”

Dr. Goldzieher adds that in addition to being less active and prone to obesity, children of the digital age who don’t spend time enjoying and playing in nature may display higher levels of stress, reduced ability to concentrate and less aptitude for creative problem solving – a non-scientific, social condition dubbed “nature-deficit disorder” by journalist Richard Louv in his popular book, “Last Child in the Woods.”

“Now that summer is here and children are out of school, parents need to redouble their efforts to get their young ones outside to play in nature,” Dr. Goldzieher said. “It will improve both their physical and mental health. Even if families are unable to take extended outdoor trips this summer, simple activities such as taking kids to a local park or a hike near their home on a regular basis will make a world of difference.”

Ongoing research supported by The Nature Conservancy, by professors Oliver Pergams, assistant professor of biological studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Patricia Zardiac, a fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program, point to a dramatic decrease in camping, backpacking, fishing, hiking, hunting and visits to public parks in recent years. Their studies suggest that since 1981, nature-related activities have declined between 18 percent and 25 percent, with a per capita decline in nature recreation of between 1 and 1.3 percent per year.

“Nearly everyone I talk to who supports wildlife conservation fondly recalls a love and appreciation for nature he or she developed as a child,” said Jeff Francell, director of land and water protection for The Nature Conservancy of Texas, and the father of two daughters, ages 4 and 6.

“If we lose our connection to the natural world, we’ll lose our understanding of the source of our food, our clean water and our clean air,” said Francell, who is based in Austin. “Over generations, without a personal awareness of what nature provides, we are not likely to feel compelled or even to understand how to protect it.”

Anna Sweeden, a Nature Conservancy staff member based in San Antonio, is determined to get her 15-year-old son, Garrett, outdoors as often as possible, but adds he does enjoy nature on a regular basis.

“Sure, my son plays video games, he uses a computer and he watches TV – I want him to be comfortable with modern technology,” she said. “But it is crucial that he also spends time in nature, whether that happens in our yard, in the park down the street or in one of our state parks. We’re blessed to live in a country setting, and we also love to spend time at Padre Island National Seashore, where he can walk on the beach instead of a sidewalk, enjoy the ocean air, see birds and fish.

“Getting out in nature gives him the exercise he has to have for his health, and it also lets him experience a world that was not made by man. This broadens his outlook, and I think it makes him a more peaceful person,” she added.

Dr. Goldzieher said his personal experience illustrates how exposure to nature early in life can profoundly affect one’s view of the world. “Summer camping as a pre-teen and teenager was a life-changing experience for me,” he said.

“To walk with a naturalist, and to identify plants, flowers, lizards, birds – and start a list! – was the most fun of all. To go on hikes and ‘leave nothing but your footprint’ was my introduction to environmental conservation. To sleep outdoors and hear all the noises was scary until I learned what each sound meant. Waking up to hear the birds is as good as it gets.”

For a list of places in Texas where children can enjoy nature this summer, download the summer activity guide from The Nature Conservancy of Texas Web site, nature.org/texas. The guide provides information about open nature preserves and a directory of free or low-cost resources sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, cities and community organizations throughout Texas.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 18 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 117 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at nature.org. In the Lone Star State, The Nature Conservancy of Texas owns more than 30 nature preserves and conservation projects and assists private landowners to conserve their land through more than 100 voluntary land-preservation agreements. The Nature Conservancy of Texas protects some 250,000 acres of wild lands and, with partners, has conserved 750,000 acres for wildlife habitat across the state. Visit The Nature Conservancy of Texas on the Web at nature.org/texas.